How is Birch & Rye restaurant rated?

Award-winning

Birch & Rye

3.9 (125)

$50 and over

Eastern European

1320 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114-3621

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Charming
Innovative

BIRCH & RYE presents a modern interpretation of Russian cuisine. Using premium and niche ingredients, the restaurant reimagines Russian food through a California lens, featuring unique takes on traditional plates that are deconstructed.

Among the light & seasonal dishes at Birch & Rye are several GF and vegan options. The beverage program features infused vodkas & Eastern European wines.

Photos by Sarah Felker.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Eastern European, Vegan, Russian
Hours of operation
Brunch Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–9:15 pm
Phone number
(415) 796-2265
Website
http://birchandryesf.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Anya El-Wattar

Location
1320 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114-3621
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Neighborhood
Noe Valley
Cross street
24th Street
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Near 3 bus stops: Castro and 24th, Diamond and 25th, 24th and Noe.
Additional
Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

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What 125 people are saying

Birch & Rye reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

3.9

3.9 based on recent ratings

4.1Food
4.0Service
4.3Ambience
3.6Value

Noise • Moderate

125 Reviews

O
Overserved VIP
San Francisco Bay Area215 reviews
4.0
Dined on March 28, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
This was our last hurrah for this restaurant. We were disappointed that they were out of the faberge egg starter but the smoked sturgeon and the crispy zrazi were excellent. The chicory salad was quite refreshing. The stroganoff had delicious mushrooms and noodles but the sauce was a little bland. The duck had great flavors but was on the dry side. the rice served with the duck was great. the donuts with caramel sauce are to die for good. And we will certainly miss the horseradish vodka. Our server was nice enough to let us try the vodka with pickle juice as she preferred. It was worthy. I am very sorry to see this place close. It has been a great addition to Noe valley.
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T
Tapbirds VIP
San Francisco Bay Area82 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We ordered the pre-fixe tasting menu - my wife selected the vegan option, and I had the regular entrees. The food was excellent, and the wine pairings were fun. The server was one of the best we have ever experienced! The price was hefty, but the food was superb.
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PC
PeterC VIP
San Francisco Bay Area4 reviews
2.0
Dined on March 10, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Food was good. Service was mostly okay until a very long pause between third and fourth course. But overall, it was not worth the high price.
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LG
LindaG
San Francisco Bay Area2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great restaurant! Can't wait to go back! Took a vegetarian friend for her birthday and had a wonderful meal. we started with the Winter Chicory Salad and an order of the Petite Rye & Smetana Butter--the salad hit all the right notes with it's citrus-y dressing; the home-made rye bread was great (the smetana butter could have had a bit less salt...) Then we had the Crispy Zrazi--this wonderful potato/lentil dish stole the show! The Wild Mushroom Stroganoff was delicious (and so rich, I would suggest sharing...). Two baked rye doughnuts & caramel sauce were brought to the table with a birthday candle for dessert. Service was perfect--we enjoyed the entire experience. I can't wait to go back and try some of the non-vegetarian options--which i will have to have with the crispy zrazi. The brunch menu looks awesome, too.......
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BY
BillY VIP
New York City10 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 3, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great modern interpretations of traditional Eastern European food. Borscht and beef with cabbage were excellent. Would recommend the 5 course tasting menu.
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C
Chocopi
San Francisco Bay Area18 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We love the unique menu items and a chance to try them. There are many things still to try so we hope to be back again soon. Service was so thoughtful!
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GD
GeoffreyD VIP
San Francisco Bay Area12 reviews
2.0
Dined on February 24, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
I’m not one to write negative reviews but 6 of us went to Birch & Rye for dinner on a Friday night. To start all the doors were open and it was freezing. Then the drinks were pretty terrible and it took forever to get our orders taken. I really feel our sever either trained or just didn’t get timing of a meal. My dish of the squash was dry and felt like it had been sitting for hours and reheated. Several of my friends ordered the duck and again everyone felt it was dry and had been preparing earlier and reheated…I could go on and on and I heard such great things. Maybe we hit it on a bad night but unfortunately we won’t be back 6 people over $800.00… no dessert we could leave fast enough …a shame
2 people found this helpful
OT
OpenTable Diner
Virginia8 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great experience! Such unique food, prepared with so much love and it was so fresh. Has the tasting menu and it was great!
1 person found this helpful
CP
ChristinePL
San Francisco Bay Area2 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 11, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
First time there. Never felt rushed. Service was excellent. Loved the creative and tasty menu choices. The bacon was revelatory! I’m ruined for eating it anywhere else! We’ll definitely come back soon.
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S
Stephanie
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on February 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Such a unique dining experience. Food was delicious - we loved the borscht and the caviar service was divine! A pleasure to dine at the only Michelin-guide recognized Russian restaurant in the country!
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FAQs

Birch & Rye is rated 3.9 stars by 125 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

1320 Castro St, San Francisco, CA 94114-3621

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Cross street
24th Street
Neighborhood
Noe Valley
Hours of operation
Brunch Sun 10:00 am–3:00 pm Dinner Wed–Sat 5:00 pm–9:15 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
Eastern European, Vegan, Russian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
Near 3 bus stops: Castro and 24th, Diamond and 25th, 24th and Noe.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Anya El-Wattar
Additional
Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://birchandryesf.com/
Phone number
(415) 796-2265

Featured in

San Francisco’s 4 most exciting restaurant debuts of 2023

Birch & Rye

About this restaurant

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Additional information

San Francisco’s 4 most exciting restaurant debuts of 2023

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

How is Birch & Rye restaurant rated?

Permanently Closed

Additional information

Featured in

San Francisco’s 4 most exciting restaurant debuts of 2023